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The outsiders' guide to
Riding in Nice.
There’s a very good reason why the ville of Nice used #nicecyclingparadise to promote the start of the 2020 Tour de France. Or maybe a hundred and counting good reasons if you start to add up the plethora of roads, routes and rides that the region offers up to any visiting cyclist. And it is not just about the numbers, it’s about the sheer variety of riding that is available. From hors category climbs to spins by the sea, from breaks for the Italian border to gravel grinds, from classic Cols to unknown tracks.
CAFÉ DU CYCLISTE is based in Nice. Our clothing is inspired by where we ride and we ride every day.And even we regularly find something new to discover.
ROAD RIDES.
With an almost endless choice, selecting our favorite rides isn’t easy. We’ve curated a selection that includes hills, mountains and the sea. Something for everyone, or something for every day that you’re here.
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Mont Chauve.
Mont Chauve, known as Nice’s ‘bald mountain’, proves that nature constructed one of the best viewpoints the city has to offer.
ESTEREL & ADRETS.
The Esterel coast road starting from Théoule-sur-Mer is beautiful, winding through secluded coves.
ÉZE & MADONE.
Climbing Col d’Éze is following in the tyre tracks of some of the world’s best cyclists.
BONETTE.
Join the climb directly from the village and get ready for a day of zero flat riding by climbing and descending both sides of the mountain.
CAP D'ANTIBES.
A Cote d’Azur roll-out that hugs the sea and arrives at one of the region’s most well-known towns.
GILETTE & BONSON.
The back country of Nice opens up behind the coast and this ride provides easy access.
DURANUS & SAINT BLAISE.
Head up the valley to where three rivers meet, climb higher still and take the time to look around.
BRAUS & TURINI.
A ride that includes two of the majestic cols from our Montaignes a la Carte series.
VENCE.
The Col de Vence is south facing and the rocky landscape reflects the heat all year around.
MORTOLA.
Pretend you're James Bond on a bike as you spin along the Basse Corniche out of Nice towards Monaco.
NISSA ALL-ROAD.
Linking two classic Alpes-Maritimes cols via a gravel ridge-line ride on a loop that takes you from portside to the heart of the mountains and back again.
GRAVEL RIDES.
The Alpes Maritimes is rapidly becoming as well known for its gravel riding as its historic road riding. Choose a new route up an old climb or find yourself away from it all with only sheep for company. Riviera Gravel is ripe for exploring.
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GRAVEL RIDES.
The Alpes Maritimes is rapidly becoming as well known for its gravel riding as its historic road riding. Choose a new route up an old climb or find yourself away from it all with only sheep for company. Riviera Gravel is ripe for exploring.
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Mont Férion.
The gravel equivalent of Mont Ventoux. With three sides to climb and a chapel.
L'ESTÉREL.
Green forests, red gravel, blue skies. The Route des Cols is a badly kept secret.
Fort de la Revère.
From the perched village of La Turbie and along the most spectacular stretch of chemin.
Col de Braus.
One of the most iconic climbs anywhere in cycling but with a dark side.
VIA DEL SALE.
One of the highest unpaved roads within reach of Nice and possibly the most impressive.
MONT MACARON.
As you follow the contours of the mountain, you get treated to a balcony view of the Baie des Anges.
COL D'ÈZE.
Yes, the roads of l'arrière pays are mostly car-free, but if you really want to get away from it all, gravel is your friend.
OUR COLS AND SERIOUS CLIMBS.
The region is known for its high hills, as befitting the name Alpes Maritimes. There are the famous ones such as Col de la Bonette, often cited as the highest paved road in Europe, the soon to be famous one such as Col de Turini, with more switchbacks in less tarmac than Alpe d’Huez and the hopefully never famous ones such Mont Chauvre which rise above the town of Nice itself. Choose your climb and climb on your bike.
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MONT CHAUVE.
‘Mont Chauve’ means the 'bald mountain' – it is the miniature Niçois version of the much better known ‘Mont Chauve’, Mont Ventoux, in Provence. It is hiding in plain sight, sitting there just to the north, right above the city.
COL DE BROUIS.
From Sospel the climb starts in the pleasant and open meadows in the valley of the small river Bevera. It ascends through deep gorges, though never too tight, and ends in open meadows again.
COL D’ÈZE.
Between Èze village and the Fort de la Revère runs the Route de la Grande Corniche. Starting almost at the Café, it takes you steeply out of town, winding up through the hills to a height of 507m.
COL DE TURINI.
The thick forests of the Col de Turini are testament to the unpredictable weather on this, the highest of the coastal climbs near Café du Cycliste’s home town of Nice.
COL DE BRAUS.
About two kilometres from the top of the Col de Braus there is a section of 15% gradient. As this passes, the road takes a little turn to the right and the climb now invites you to look back over the valley.
MADONE D'UTELLE.
Ride in the back country around Nice, and one of those reference points is the chapel of the Madone d’Utelle.
MONT VIAL.
Mont Vial is one of the few peaks of the backcountry behind Nice that is recognisable from the sea, and cyclists riding towards the Var valley can orient themselves by it, too.
COL DE TENDE.
If you turn right off the main road just over 1km before the Tende tunnel, you can add 17 more to make a dizzying total of 65 about turns. Plus the last 4kms are on gravel.
MONT VENTOUX.
Though geologically part of the Alps, Ventoux stands more or less alone, unencumbered by mountains of equal stature.
COL DE LA MADONE.
It mounts the hill with the sharp gradients of Corniche des serres de la Madone which immediately plunges you into a series of hairpins through vine trees that help make the town famous for its gardens and greenery.
COL DE VENCE.
It is the furthest west, and therefore the furthest of our favourite climbs from the great spine of the Alps, divider of peoples, trapper of clouds that lifts itself between France and Italy.
COL DE LA BONETTE.
The Bonette road was built by Napoleon III and is one of the best climbs in the Alps, of whatever height, and that the prodigious altitude just gives you longer to appreciate its charms.
COL DE LA COLMIANE.
The label of medium should not make the exploring cyclist underestimate either the physical challenge or the alpine beauty that it delivers.
THE CAFE.
Located on the Old Port, our café is the perfect pre and post-ride meeting place. With some routes that begin almost outside, excellent coffee and a full range of our clothing collections for men and women. There are weekly rides as well if you’d like to discover riding on the Cote D’Azur with like minded companions.
RENT & RIDE.
Travel light and book your bike. Each bike is complete with pedals, tool bag and rear light while, if needed, each rental can also include Specialized shoes and helmet.
A Pro's view.
Joe Dombrowski rides the Monaco–Nice time trial course and shares his insights into the finale of the 2024 Tour de France.
PRATICAL.
How to arrive:
With direct flights from around 30 European countries as well as further afield, Nice is well connected by air. The tram line now goes direct to the old Port, where our café is situated. For more information on flights, see the AEROPORT DE NICE website. Nice has two train stations. From Paris the journey is around six hours and brings you into the heart of the city. For more information on trains, see the SNCF website.
Where to stay:
Despite the exceptional riding on its doorstep , Nice is the fifth biggest city in France. Given its attractions, there are numerous place to stay while you’re here, from hotels through to guest houses and, of course, private appartment rentals. For more information on where to stay, see the NICE TOURIST BOARD website.
Discover the Collection.
